Round 2 NY Tour and Cheese :)

After round one of the Finger Lakes Wine Tour we didn't really get to too many places so we wanted to go again!!! We got out of the house a lot earlier this time...no hold ups!! and no Spammy :( (she had to work).  Moose and I mapped out the new route the night before--gotta have a plan! We wanted to hit up a cheese place to start the day--Oh, how we LOVE our cheese. Mom was a little scared since it was a "goat cheese" place.

No Moose crossing??? In NY we have goats!!

This farm--Lively Run Goat Dairy was off the beaten path by a couple of inches (there was no miles on the map--so everything is in inches).  The knowledgeable goat lady serving the cheese had a funky accent couldn't figure out where she was from!  It takes 7 gallons of goat milk to make ONLY 1 gallon of goat cheese!!!We tried Chevre (pepper corn, garlic and pepper, and dill), Feta (real Feta is actually made from Sheep and Goat's milk) it has been aged in brine, Blue Moon (not the beer) and Cayuga Blue is a unique blue cheese and is nice and creamy!! (Who doesn't like things that are creamy??) and a "special" kind which didn't have a name-it was very blue cheese strong. We then went to the barn to see the goats after...I didn't pet any... They kinda freak me out.

Were the three best friends that anyone can have....

Good cheese day :) LOVE it!!!!

Our next stop was Swedish Hill Winery aka Swedish Fish to Moose. They had a mini donkey named Doobie and have made a couple of wines after. I never had been there before, but I am glad we stopped!! It's a sister winery of Goose Watch--which we were not impressed with this time around!

Doobie Dobbie Doo

After having some Swedish fish we took a little jaunt over to Three Brothers Winery. This was built in 2007. It had three wineries and a micro brewery. What a smart idea!! We bought passports for $10 and you could taste at all of the drinking establishments!! First up was Passion Feet Winery- for those who live life with laughter and abandon. They had super cute girly names for wines that dealt with dating/marriage/heart break (everyone can relate) Not Moose's fav, she doesn't like the sweet stuff. But, at the vary end they give you a slushy!! Ohh now that's heaven in your mouth :)

Across the driveway was Stony Lonesome Estates for those who appreciate the finer things in life. This was in Moose's diamond--dry the way she likes it! The server was super nice and gave us some corks for our wine board! We took some gorgeous pics here off the deck looking into the vineyard (or grape field to Moo:)) amidst the 100 bridal bachelorette parties encompassing the place!

Super cute :)

Down below the driveway and around the swamp--ya swamp people--was Bagg Dare Wine Co. for those would would rather spend their time in a dive bar (obviously this is MY place :)) The wine names were funny/dirty. For example: Well Hung, 69 Ways to Have Fun, Poor Limp Richard, Ride'er All Night, Driv'er Home, and Skirt Lifter.

Dare to enter the Swamp????

We continued up the winding path to our last stop... War Horse Brewing Company.  We had to stop because I got SOOOOOOOOOOO thirsty but we were in the door and sampling beers faster than Moose could fall down the 1st step to the joint (which she did:))  We were able to sample 5 of their micro brews and I got a present here for my bf in a growler which has their emblem an awesome beer on/in it!  I bought some ice and a cooler on site and we were on our way... as Moose said "wait a sec" and came back to the car with her new headband and 2 Pom Slushies (Pomegranate Mixed with 90 seconds of heaven wine- blended with ice...YUM) and we were on the road with the roadies!

Who would put their head under the grain bin???

We headed down the road... I'm talking 500 feet..and no we didn't walk... we stopped at our friend Nicole's (Furny) recommendation;  Zugibe Winery. This winery is new, 2009 and had the best view of all of the wineries.  Breathtaking view on the "porch" in their classy relaxing chairs of the winery looking out in the field, over the greenery into the open Seneca Lake.   They also had a great wine rack which my mom took a pic of for "reference." :)

Next kitchen???

Heart her

We headed down about '3 inches' to Penguin Bay Winery.  We tasted their wines, including "Tuxedo Red" and "Tuxedo White" :). This winery sponsors the penguin exhibit at the Syracuse Zoo which I recently went to (see blog later) and was adorable.  The labels of all of the different wines were so cute and depicted penguins in acts such playing drums "Percussion Wine" and jumping into the ocean from the dryness of the "Cabernet Wine." We also learned that Penguin Bay was the 3rd sister in the Sister Series of Goose Watch, Swedish Hill and Penguin Bay Wineries.

Our next stop was a no brainer... HAZLITT Vineyards!  Hazlitt was voted one of the Best 25 Tasting Rooms in the US.  This is by far one of the most fun atmospheres and it was "Greyhound Weekend' all around the finger lakes in support and appreciation of rescued greyhounds and owners which is awesome.  Therefore, Greyhounds and their owners were welcomed into the wineries all weekend for drinks, benefits, promoting rescues and dogg-gone-fun!  We got our FREE tasting... hmmmm looks like we won over the taster dude at the door ;)- and indulged in popcorn and red cat... RED CAT, RED CAT, IT'S AN APHRODISIAC... RED CAT, RED CAT, IT WILL GET YOU IN THE SACK!!!

Ohhh man what a blink!

I got a free magnet from Four Square for logging in and 5 bottles of White Stag, 1 Red & 1 White Cat... we had time for just one more place...decisions... But this was not before Moose had to grab ANOTHER slushie... Red Cat Slushie to go!!!

Nice potty and stank eyed swan

Our last stop was 2 Goats Brewery where we were happily greeted by "OG" the rescued Greyhound who followed us around the brewery and we were given another breathtaking view-posted on a desk right out and over Seneca Lake and were able to "paint with all the colors of the wind-" Pale Ale, Amber Bach and  Oatmeal Stout.  Pretty AND refreshing...WIN!

Love the view and all the micro brews!

Great view

On the way home we stopped at Slaterville Springs in memory of AC Slater on Saved by the Bell. 

I wish we had a Screech town.

We had a great day and loved every minute of it!!! Looks like it will be a boating/tubing day tomorrow!

I'll Drink to That... NY Finger Lakes Wine. Tour

We began our day at 8am... this was after waiting for Moose to get here last night (we had bets running) at 10:49pm (Spam) after the poor girl got detoured off of I-80 East at the Lock Haven Exit due to an "ACCIDENT" at Exit 190 that is no where to be found on cyber space...but she was stopped in traffic for over an hour between Exit 178 and 180 where the Highway was closed off and all traffic was re-routed off the Highway... mystery of the year.

In any event, she arrived safe and sound after making the longest drive of her life (by herself) and we DRANK TO THAT upon her walking through the door!!!  We caught up looking through photo albums of our last trips (details to come...) and enjoyed some CL and GWD a la Spam :)

We were a little slow to wake but all completed the ritual of the 3 S's (Shit Shower Shave) OH--and a 4th for KT & MOO (spandex) and were on the road to the Finger Lakes...WINE COUNTRY!!!

After the hour drive or so in the on and off rain storm and having to pay $3.97 for gas because we used CREDIT (grrrrr) we arrived at our 1st stop... a newbie to the tour, Frontenac Point Vineyards...great view, nice staff, good start... not our fav wine.

Our next stop was one of our FAVS... an old treasure...Americana Vineyards.  We enjoyed our tasting as Spammy enjoyed her Fudge tasting (god love our DD) and we bought out the store... 16 bottles of assorted liquid goodness (or what moose would call) "A Velvet Blanket encompassing her tongue" we were on our way only after redeeming our smiles for 3...yes 3 free totes and I bought a hoodie depicting the 2 STARS of the winery...Max & Ruby <3.

Our next stop was Lucas Winery... the oldest winery on Cayuga Lake (1980) and had quite  "Nautie" Time.  This is where the wine started to kick in and we enjoyed some fun GLASSES and "free" corks :)

We followed our nose to the next stop...Sheldrake Point Winery which had a bistro which teased our pallates!  We resisted and Mom and I went right for the "Below" but of course Moose went for her dry reds...UGHHHH (P-P-P-Pucker Face my Pu-uck-er Face:)

We decided to fly over to the Thirsty Owl Yineyards next where we were greeted with a smile and a BAG full of corks... after we asked if we could have a FEW! (SCORE!!!  Moose is making a Cork Board for her Wedding and I am making a Cork Table!)

Bag of Corks??? Yes, please!!!

P.S--Happy Anniversary to Mom and Spammy!!! 17 years :)---Today---AKA Yesterday!! 

At this point, we decided (after watching a hot fresh cheesy flat bread go by) that maybe we should eat on the gorgeous deck of the Thirsty Owl and get more than crackers, "puffs" and bread morsels in us!

We decided to order a bottle of their "Tailspin" (woo woo Spammy) as well as a Cheese/Grape app because we're classy like that!  As we indulged and Moose fought off the bees, or flat bread tomato and mozz. pizza arrived as well as our fancy mac and cheese side.  Spammy and "Foo Foo" enjoyed OPEN FACED 'Roast Beast' sandwiches.  YUMMMMMMY!

Our waitress was the best and took pics as well as chased our menus, napkins and whatever else was flying off our table (including my mom!) and made sure we had the upper deck table- best seat in the house with a raised private view of the entire vineyard and Cayuga Lake...SCORE!

We traveled abut 500 yards down the road to the BARN and Cayuga Ridge Winery.  The classic barn setting was traditional and fun as Moose went up to the LOFT for a photo shoot.  At this point we realized that our time was coming to an end because it was 5:15pm and most of the wineries are only open until 5:30pm...HOW RUDE!

Spammy checked the map while we hurried our samples along and realized that we had room for 1 more that closed within our time limit (apparently 5:30--6:00p) and Goose Watch closed at 6:00pm.


We rushed down the road to our DIAMOND (shout out Jackie) on the and had our last tasting (with the worst service ever "handful of grapes"...really?!?!)  We exited in a haste and were upset enough to leave the bathroom door AJAR ;0  We captured some great pics of the lake as well as the GOOSE a--top the pond and we were on our way.

If you go to wine country or on the boat you have to stop for ice cream!!!! It is a given :)

Ice cream with the Stank Eyed Swan!!! :) 

Great wine, great company, and now a GREAT PLAN FOR TOMORROW TO HEAD UP THE OTHER SIDE OF CAYUGA/SENECA LAKES...stay tuned!

Early bird gets the worm...

Todd came in last night so I was super excited to get to spend time with my brother since I never see him. We decided to get up early and go fishing before putting rafters on my grandparents garage. We woke up at 6 am ready to go and catch some dinner!! The river we went to was pretty shallow (nothing compared to the Missouri River in Nebraska!!) 

I can't tell you the last time we went fishing together and we told Mom we would bring home dinner!! We casted and casted, not one bite!! We saw many jump so we knew they were out there. We resorted to another kind of meat....crayfish! Todd caught the first one, it had only one claw. We moved down the river a little and tried there. Still no luck but I was determined to get at least a crayfish before we left! My determination paid off! 

Kissing the catch :)

This is the "big" catch we had to bring home to mom for dinner...we starved tonight!!

I love that my brother carries a fishing satchel!!! 

After fishing we had to go put rafters on my Grandparent's new garage roof. What a task!!! 

Got there around 8:30 am  and we though we were going to finish by the end of the day. Five of us were working hard! We hit a huge glitch!! The hydraulics on the lift died..tried thinking of other ways to get it done but didn't happen. Each of the rafters weigh at least 230 pounds!! Not to mention trying to stabilize them 30 feet up in the air. We had a Caterpillar lift that my Uncle even had on three wheels at one time! We got a little bit more then half done...who knew technology advances actually set you back! 

The "Nebraskan" getting it done in New York!

Moral of today...the early bird doesn't catch the worm. But, I did have a great day with my brother who I miss dearly!!! 

Pooperstown/Cooperstown

Spammy, Mom, Rick, KJ, Eli, and I went to Cooperstown, NY to the Baseball Hall of Fame!! Kids say the STRANGEST things. KJ called it Pooperstown. It has changed a lot since I have last been there. More modernized--there is now lots of baseball field for little boys to play in tournaments and dream of growing up playing for the big leagues.

KJ, "Bullwinkle" and myself!

I don't remember the hall being that big. There are soooo many artifacts it would take at least 2 days to read through everything. Eli was not too happy about not being able to "cuddle" and had to be in the stroller so Spammy and Mom took him out. Rick, KJ and I walked through everything. Don't taste the water there KJ thinks it tastes like poop!!!

Went to Doubleday Field--this is where all the hall of famers go for their induction ceremony!

They have some funky nicknames!!!!

Rick and his new buddy KJ at the Hall of Fame

Tan fat is better then pale fat!!

I love being home so I can go out on the lake. I have gone out twice this summer and both times have been a lot of fun! The first time I went out I went with my nephews (KJ and Eli), boyfriend (Rick), and mom. My nephews loved the boat...I was unsure if they would. Both of them rode the tube. Eli had a little underwater trouble. The tube went down into the water instead of going up on it and sucked in some water. I lifted him up so he could get his air and he was alright! This kid is a daredevil!!

Eli loved going on his back and just laughed and laughed. KJ was a little uncertain, he held on to the ladder and just stayed close to Rick!!

KJ tubing it up!!!!

The next time I went out it was with my brother, Todd, his girlfriend, Jackie, mom and Spammy. We stopped at the ShortStop Deli in Ithaca for sammies before we went out. I got an RBI (roast beast) it was awesome!!

Todd and Jackie were lake rats!! We got a new tube this year due to the death of Big Bertha. It has been a challenge for us to ride it and get used to diablo--yes we name the tubes. Todd did a great job of keeping Jackie on diablo!!! When it was my turn to ride diablo Spammy knocked me off and I lost my top!! Good thing I had a life vest on :)

Todd and Jackie riding the waves!!!

Mom trying to get on diablo!! Didn't work out so hot for her!!!

Gotta have the Stank Eyed Swan!!!

Stank Eyed Swan

My wolf pack (Moose and Mills) live in Pittsburgh. Every year we get together to go to Jimmy Buffett, which is my favorite day of the year!! While I was out in the Burgh last time we went swimming in Moose's fiance's pool. There was this one blow up swan that was ticking me off--it kept eyeing me.  So I got this bright idea to ride this swan. It was about impossible to stay on the swan and balance!! We tried to ride this swan for hours. Finally we gave up but it still freaked me out that it would stare at me.

Less then a month later we went back out to the pool when I drove out with my boyfriend (Rick) to see my family. Mills was messing around trying to ride the swan and popped it!!! We decided to cut off the head and I would carry it around and take pictures like "flat Stanley."

So throughout this blog you will see pictures of the so called stank eyed swan!!! She has turned into my buddy :)

The Beginning!

Well there are a couple reasons I am going to start to blog. Living so far away from my family they can see what I am up to and just sharing some crazy stories that I have had in my life so far!!

I will try and blog at least every couple of days or everyday!